10-Q/APeriod: Q1 FY2004

AMERICAN TOWER CORP /MA/ Quarterly Report (Amendment) for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2004

Filed March 30, 2005For Securities:AMT

Summary

American Tower Corporation (AMT) filed an amended quarterly report (10-Q/A) for the period ending March 31, 2004, which restates previously issued financial statements. The primary reason for the restatement is to correct accounting practices for ground leases underlying tower sites, impacting depreciation and rent expense recognition. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the company reported total revenues of $186.2 million, an increase of 15% year-over-year, driven by strong performance in both its rental and management segment and network development services. Despite revenue growth, the company reported a net loss of $48.2 million, an improvement from the $97.0 million net loss in the prior year's quarter. This improvement is largely due to reduced interest expense and lower losses from discontinued operations. Key financial activities during the quarter include the issuance of $225 million in senior notes to redeem existing convertible notes, alongside significant debt repurchases and refinancings. The company also made strategic acquisitions of 100 communications sites. Management expects operating cash flows and existing cash to be sufficient for capital expenditures, acquisitions, and debt service in 2004, indicating a focus on operational efficiency and strategic financial management.

Key Highlights

  • 1Restatement of financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2004, due to revised ground lease accounting, impacting depreciation and rent expense.
  • 2Total revenues increased by 15% year-over-year to $186.2 million, driven by growth in both rental/management and network development services segments.
  • 3Net loss improved significantly to $48.2 million from $97.0 million in the prior year's quarter, attributed to lower interest expenses and reduced losses from discontinued operations.
  • 4Completed a $225 million senior notes offering to redeem outstanding convertible notes, along with other debt management activities.
  • 5Acquired 100 communications sites during the quarter, demonstrating continued investment in asset growth.
  • 6Cash provided by operating activities increased substantially to $31.7 million from $7.1 million in the prior year's quarter.
  • 7Management expects ongoing cash flows to be sufficient to fund operations, capital expenditures, and debt service for the remainder of 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions

The financial statements were restated to correct the company's accounting practices for ground leases underlying its tower sites. This correction involves accelerating non-cash rent and depreciation/amortization expenses to earlier periods, aligning them more accurately with the expected life of the leases and tower assets.

The 15% increase in total revenues to $186.2 million was driven by growth in both the rental and management segment (up 12% to $164.6 million) and the network development services segment (up 44% to $21.6 million). The rental and management segment benefited from adding new tenants to existing towers and revenue from newly acquired/constructed towers.

The company engaged in significant financing activities, including a $225 million senior notes offering to redeem convertible notes, which helped manage its debt structure and extend maturities. Despite recording charges related to debt redemptions and refinancing, overall interest expense decreased, contributing to the improved net loss.

Management expects that cash flows from operations and existing cash on hand will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, and debt service for the remainder of 2004. Total liquidity as of March 31, 2004, was approximately $485.7 million.